Smith machine equivalent weight

tomcornhole
tomcornhole Posts: 1,084 Member
edited January 31 in Fitness and Exercise
So I'm on business travel and all the hotel has is a smith machine. Did bench and for the first time since I started strength training, my shoulders were not hurting. I went through my 5/3/1 and had some left so I kept adding weight. Got to 225 lbs x 2. PR on barbells was 175x1 but with sore shoulders. Just curious what you think 225 lbs on a smith is equivalent to on a barbell. Just because I want to update my 5/3/1 1RM.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Tom

Replies

  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
    It isn't.
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Apples and oranges, you can't even compare the two, sorry.
  • tomcornhole
    tomcornhole Posts: 1,084 Member
    I guess I knew the answer already. Will have to wait until I get home to my power rack to really see what I've got. I am ecstatic that my shoulders appear to be healed.
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    I guess I knew the answer already. Will have to wait until I get home to my power rack to really see what I've got. I am ecstatic that my shoulders appear to be healed.

    If you're recovering from any type of shoulder injury, be careful. Shoulders are used a lot during bench press for stabilization, so it may be the case they don't hurt for smith bench, but may hurt for standard bench press. Either way, be careful and good luck.
  • tomcornhole
    tomcornhole Posts: 1,084 Member
    Good advice. I will do that.
  • Shawshankcan
    Shawshankcan Posts: 900 Member
    Smith machines are normally counter balance by about 30-40lbs, plus you don't have to stabilize, just push which makes it a lot easier.
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